Principal Investigator

Primary mechanistic analysis of lysocin E, identified using a silkworm infection model was performed. In addition, the serum factors that enhances antimicrobial activity of lysocin E were purified and identified. Moreover, serum from various animals including human and silkworm hemolymph also enhanced antimicrobial activity of lysocin E. Further, a method was established to analyze comprehensive gene expression of bacteria during infection in mouse organs. Disruption of genes, whose functions are not known, showed reduced pathogenicity in mouse systemic infection model. These results suggested that a principle of a screening system for therapeutically effective antibiotics was established.